Factors That Increase the Risk of Back Pain and Injury

Topic Overview

Factors you cannot control

Being pregnant. A woman's back is significantly stressed by carrying a baby.

Having a family history of back pain

Having a problem with your spine that has been present
since birth (congenital)

Having a degenerative disease of the
spine, such as osteoporosis or arthritis

Factors you can control

Not exercising regularly

Sitting
for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, bending or twisting
frequently, heavy physical exertion, repetitive motions, and exposure to
constant vibration, such as from driving

Smoking. A smoker is twice
as likely to have low back pain than a nonsmoker.

Being overweight
(weighing more than 20% over your ideal body weight)

Being under a lot of stress

Having a mental
health problem, such as depression or severe anxiety

Having an
illness or disease that causes chronic coughing

Slumping or slouching alone may not cause low back pain. But after the back has been strained or injured, bad posture can make pain worse. "Good posture" generally means your ears, shoulders, and hips are in a straight line. If this posture causes pain, you may have another condition such as a problem with a disc or bones in your back.

Activities that increase your risk

Running or jogging

Skiing and
snowboarding

Sledding, snowmobiling, or
tobogganing

Sports that require forceful twisting, such as
gymnastics and wrestling

Contact sports, such as football or
rugby

Work-related activities that require repeated lifting,
bending, or twisting of the back

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.